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Hannah Anderson kidnap: James Lee DiMaggio mirrored father's actions

Shot dead: James Lee DiMaggio in a restaurant in West Hollywood, California in 2011. Photo: AP

A man suspected of abducting a 16-year-old family friend after killing her mother and younger brother died in a shootout with FBI agents exactly 15 years after his father committed suicide, a family spokesman said.

James Lee DiMaggio, 40, appears to have followed in his father's footsteps in a carefully laid plan, said Andrew Spanswick, a friend who runs a behavioural treatment centre in West Hollywood.

"He clearly had a death wish," Mr Spanswick said.

Brother and sister: Ethan and Hannah Anderson Photo: Reuters

DiMaggio is suspected of killing 44-year-old Christina Anderson and eight-year-old Ethan Anderson and leaving their bodies in his burning home near San Diego on August 4. He triggered a massive search in much of the western United States and parts of Canada and Mexico for Hannah Anderson, who was rescued in Saturday's shootout at central Idaho's Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

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DiMaggio was extraordinarily close to the family, driving Hannah to gymnastics meets and Ethan to football practice.

US authorities have said DiMaggio may have had an "unusual infatuation" with Hannah, although the father said he never saw any strange behaviour.

Brett Anderson speaks to members of the media during a news conference. Photo: AFP

Hannah only learnt that DiMaggio is believed to have killed her mother and brother after she was rescued and recovering in the hospital.

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said: "Everybody, the FBI, our investigators, everybody are convinced that there is no way she was anything but the worst kind of victim in this,"

James Everet DiMaggio was addicted to methamphetamine and had a troubled life marred by criminal activity, Mr Spanswick said. His cause of death was listed as dehydration, but he consumed a large amount of methamphetamine intravenously and "walked into the desert", he said.

Mary Young, Mark John and Mike Young all from Sweet, Idaho, speak with the media during a news conference at the Ada County Sheriff's Office in Boise, Idaho. Photo: Reuters

The elder DiMaggio was arrested in 1988 after breaking into the home of his ex-girlfriend, wearing a ski mask and a carrying a sawn-off shotgun and handcuffs, Mr Spanswick said. The former girlfriend wasn't home, but DiMaggio held her 16-year daughter and her boyfriend at gunpoint. The girl escaped after asking to use the bathroom.

The elder DiMaggio later spent time in prison after pleading guilty to assault with a deadly weapon for a 1989 beating of two people with a baseball bat at a motel in El Cajon, east of San Diego.

The Evening Tribune of San Diego described him as a 35-year-old transient, former car salesman and divorced father of two. He died in 1998.

Mr Spanswick said he confirmed details of the elder DiMaggio's criminal history and death with Lora Robinson, James Lee DiMaggio's sister and only surviving family member. Ms Robinson, who did not respond to phone messages, asked Mr Spanswick to serve as a family spokesman.

The victim of the elder DiMaggio's kidnapping attempt — now an adult — told KFMB-TV that her attacker professed his love after breaking up with her mother and announced he was taking her away to "give me a good life". She pleaded with him not to kill her, her boyfriend and her brother.

"Don't worry, it'll be over quick," the woman remembered the elder DiMaggio saying.

The woman, who was not identified by the television station and whose face was blurred on camera, attended El Cajon High School, near San Diego, with James Lee DiMaggio. After the episode, KFMB said, she changed her name and moved.

The younger DiMaggio was like an uncle to the Anderson children and close friends with their parents for many years. Mr Spanswick, who often went hiking with him and his brother-in-law, said neither he nor the Anderson family noticed anything strange about his behaviour.

Mr Spanwick said he alerted authorities on Friday when Ms Robinson told him the date of her father's death.

"There's too much coincidence for this not to be directly associated with that," he said.

Mr Spanswick said the siblings made a pact not to follow in their father's footsteps.

"Her brother broke that trust and he never called her," he said.

Hannah's father Brett Anderson thanked the public and media for their vigilance during the six days she was missing. He also thanked the four horseback riders who spotted Hannah and DiMaggio in the Idaho wilderness, which ultimately became the key tip that helped crack the case.

"Without you, who knows how long this would have gone on," he said.

AP

* Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by calling Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.